Say You Won't Let Go || Bill Weasley

Epilogue

The sun shone brightly through the thick glass windows that made the ceiling of King's Cross Station. Platform 9 and 3/4 was bustling with people, both new students and returning. Families crowded the walkway, saying their goodbyes and making sure trunks are together and secure. The Hogwart's Express gleamed in the light, steam filling the air as students boarded the train. Another large, recognizable family was among them, an eleven year old girl with wavy, fiery red hair to match the rest of them, as well as a few others.

"Mum, are you sure I can't just take the floo network with you?"

Isabelle rolled her eyes playfully. "Lyra, we talked about this. You're supposed to take the train with the rest of the students."

"But why? I practically grew up at Hogwarts, I've been like a hundred times," Lyra said. "Eleanor didn't have to take the train when she was at Hogwarts."

"I know you have, honey, but it's just one of those things you're supposed to do as a student," Isabelle said. "You take the train with the rest of your classmates and come in together to get sorted. Plus, Eleanor wasn't a first-year when she lived with us."

"I'm scared to get sorted," Lyra said. "What if I don't get Gryffindor like you guys?"

"Lyra, you know we don't care about any of that," Bill said next to his wife, a little boy, maybe five or six years old with dark hair, clinging to him in his arms to stay safe in the crowd. "We are going to be proud of you no matter what. There's nothing to be scared of."

"That's easy for you to say, you used to be a curse-breaker," Lyra grumbled.

"We will be right there when you get sorted," Isabelle said. "Just stick with Teddy and see how it goes. The train is where you make your first friends."

Lyra still looked reluctant, but when she glanced over at the blue-haired boy who would also be starting his first year at Hogwarts next to his parents, she nodded. Before she could say anything else, the train whistled.

"Come here," Isabelle said, pulling her daughter into a tight hug. "We love you so much."

"We'll see you tonight," Bill reassured her.

"You're sure I can't at least come home at night?" she asked.

Isabelle laughed. "I'm sure. You'll be okay, I promise. Soon enough we're going to have to practically beg you to come home."

Bill set down the child in his arms. "Say bye to your sister."

"Bye bye, Lyra," he said in a small voice.

"Bye bye, Alex. Make sure to cause them lots of trouble," Lyra said, hugging the boy before letting him go back to his dad after he nodded with a bright smile.

"Alright, let's go find Grandma," Bill said.

"Grandma!" the little boy, Alex, cheered, as Bill walked away toward the rest of his family who had come to see the first of the new generation off to Hogwarts.

"You really think I'm gonna be okay?" Lyra asked.

"Of course, sweetheart," Isabelle said. "I'll be right there if you need me."

"Thanks," Lyra said.

With that, she met up with Teddy Lupin, his blue hair and her red vibrant against the crowd, as they boarded the Hogwarts Express for the first time.

"Don't worry, Professor. It's not like we won't see her," Bill said, reappearing by Isabelle's side.

"I know, Professor," Isabelle smiled. "Besides, she has to take Transfiguration so she can't avoid me. I doubt she'll ever choose Arithmancy now, though."

"Probably not," Bill chuckled. "I do feel old, though."

"Yeah," Isabelle nodded. "At least we have like twelve years before the last one goes off to Hogwarts."

"Twelve?"

Isabelle looked at him with a small smile, and Bill's eyes widened as a huge grin spread across his face.

"You're serious?"

Isabelle nodded again, and with as much excitement as the first time they found out over eleven years ago, he picked her up, spinning her around with a loving kiss as the Hogwarts Express began to slowly pull out of the station.

All was well.